The terms of public service are the prerogative of the public. Fundamental among those terms; public servants are accountable to the public, and to meaningful standards of conduct and competence, at least for the eight measly hours a day that we have to "trust" them with the control over our power and our resources.

Friday, September 19, 2014

I propose a public meeting. The purpose of that meeting will be
the articulation of the shared community philosophy regarding
public school education and administration.

Sound policy requires a sound philosophical foundation.
That foundation is made of shared philosophical beliefs.
Despite the emphasis specific philosophical disagreements, there is common ground.

If we cannot find that common ground and on it together,
we cannot elect school board members and hire a superintendent
who will administer policies that reflect our shared philosophy.

We can effect change toward common goals.

This meeting has to be done right.
If it isn't, there will never be another meeting.

All that is necessary is money. Money to;

1. rent a space. And then equip that place so that perhaps hundreds of stake and interest holders could participate meaningfully. Perhaps some kind of WiFi connection to lap tops. I am confident that there are people who could figure out how to do that.

2. spread the word. Invite everyone who wants to participate. Yeah, what if so many people want to participate that if over whelms the capacity to deal with them? We should be so lucky.

3. and hire a wizard. Someone has to stand up in the front of the room and guide the process through the rapids. I am not talking about a local celebrity. I am talking about someone with demonstrated ability to protect the process from endless reiteration and personal anecdotes. Someone who can keep people focused on the task at hand and able to create an atmosphere conducive to real dialogue and consensus building.

The search then, is on;
For money and
for a wizard.

Moments later; it dawned on me, we already have a space. We paid a million dollars for it and the surrounding accoutrements. We paid so much for it, APS interim Supt Brad Winter still will not produce a candid, forthright and honest accounting of all the money he spent, and how he spent it.

It has everything we need including security.
Boy is it secure!

We just have to find a time when it's not in use.
That would be about 28 days a month.

The Susie Rayos Marmon Board Room, link, it is then!
Stand by for time and day.